, and the obama administration's waiver process. all these events are tonight beginning at 8 p.m. eastern on the c-span networks. >> having observed a steady improvement and the opportunities and well being of our citizens, i can report to you, the state of this old but useful union is good. >> once again, in keeping with time-honored tradition i've come to report to you on the state of the union. and i'm pleased to report that america is much improved, and there's good reason to believe that improvement will continue for the data,. >> my duty tonight is to report on the state of the union, not the state of our government, but of our american community. and to set forth our responsibilities in the words of our founders, perform -- to form a more perfect union. the state of the union is strong. >> as we gather tonight, our nation is at war. our economy is in recession, and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. yet, t yet the state of our union has never been stronger. >> it's because of our people jot our future is hopeful, our journeyur goes forward and the state of our union as well. r